Analog front end supports DSP/FPGA/microcontroller based systems

January 30, 2012 //
By Paul Buckley

CML Microcircuits has introduced the CMX7861 FirmCODEC which is a full featured analog front end for DSP/FPGA/Microcontroller based systems. The device is a combination of codec, embedded signal processing and auxiliary system support functions, allowing simple interfacing between analog and digital systems that together improve overall system performance, reduce development time and overall system cost.

Modern-day electronic systems, notably communication, control and monitoring are increasingly migrating to digital operations, an area dominated by DSP/FPGA/Microcontroller signal processing. However, the real world is essentially analog, making analogue to digital and digital to analogue interfaces a crucial part of the overall design. FirmCODEC provides this solution.

The device is intended for use in a number of applications including radio systems performing the main data conversion and auxiliary operations for monitoring and control, operating in channel bandwidths up to 50 kHz and interfacing RF devices to baseband DSP/FPGA/microcontroller. Single-ended and differential interface options are provided and I/Q-based operation is supported.

Two general modes of operation are supported: codec mode and modem mode.
Codec mode is intended for applications where a general purpose codec is required. When in codec mode, the CMX7861 will provide digital-to-analog and analog-to-digital conversion, and a front end intelligent codec for the DSP/FPGA/Microcontroller.

Modem mode is suited to applications where the CMX7861 is used to transmit and receive modulated data. Modem mode provides a transmit signal interpolator which will aid in the modulation process by converting mapped symbols to a filtered, modulated output. Receive channel filters are also provided.

The CMX7861 utilizes CML's proprietary FirmASIC component technology that enables on-chip sub-systems to be configured by a Function Image data file, which is uploaded during device initialisation and defines the device's function and feature set. The Function Image can be loaded automatically from a host microcontroller over the C-BUS serial interface or from an external memory device. The device's functions and features can